England seek support from Man Utd's Ferguson for 2018 bid

The Guardian says the United manager's public support would be a powerful tool for the Football Association, and the bid company is well placed to make such a proposal. United's chief executive, David Gill, is the only representative of the Premier League on its board while Andy Anson, 44, a former commercial director at the club, becomes the chief executive in January.

"We'd like him to wish us luck. I trust Sir Alex will support the bid," Anson said yesterday at the bid's Wembley headquarters.